From L: Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan pose for a photo prior to a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on June 14, 2019. (Photo by Vyacheslav OSELEDKO / AFP)

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 19th Meeting of the Council of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The premier had on Thursday had an ‘informal’ talk with Russian President Vladmir Putin after reaching Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to represent Pakistan at SCO summit.

Earlier in the day, in an interview with Sputnik News, Prime Minister Imran had expressed his hope to meet Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the summit.

“I think this will just be an informal meeting on the sides of the SCO conference. I already met him briefly during my visit to China, where there was a conference by Chinese President Xi. So I met him, but this time I hope to have an informal chat with him. I already met the prime minister of Russia in China on my first visit,” Sputnik News had quoted PM Imran as saying.

The prime minister also had a cordial meeting with the Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Sharipovich Jeenbekov on the sidelines of the SCO summit, a statement released by the Prime Minister Office said.

According to Radio Pakistan, Kyrgyz President Jeenbekov had extended the invitation to Prime Minister Imran to attend the two-day summit.

The prime minister congratulated the Kyrgyz president on hosting the summit, who in turn “appreciated Pakistan’s role in the SCO”, the statement added.

The two countries agreed to strengthen land and air connectivity between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.